When she was named Principal Dancer for the Houston Ballet in 1990, Lauren Anderson became the first African American to hold such a position in a major ballet company. Anderson talks with Linda Lorelle about growing up in Houston, her ballet...

Frances "Poppy" Northcutt is interviewed by Suzanne Mascola. Frances discusses her career working for a NASA contractor, the Apollo 8, NASA, her work as a women's rights advocate; and her career as a lawyer.

Jane Ely describes her career as a journalist working for the Houston Post. She talks about gender discrimination in her field, the coverage of the J.F. Kennedy assassination, and other events that made news at the time.

Native Houstonian Gerald Smith discusses how he grew up to be chairman, CEO and co-founder of Smith, Graham & Co. Investment Advisors -- one of the nation's largest minority owned institutional investment managers.

Ed Gerlach began playing piano at the age of 5 before switching his focus to soprano saxophone and later tenor saxophone. Gerlach discusses his career as a saxophonist, including his time with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Gerlach also share his...

Leonel Castillo was the first Mexican American elected to citywide office in Houston and the director of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service in Jimmy Carter's cabinet during the 1970’s. Interviewed by Kerry Wince he talks about his work...

Ray Miller talks about the news media in Houston and describes his career as a radio and television news broadcaster. Miller was the creator and host of the TV series The Eyes of Texas broadcasted through KPRC-TV.

Born in Houston, Texas, and graduating from the University of Texas in Marketing and Business, Alan Becker started his career in Life insurance. In this interview, he discusses the rapid growth and development of Houston in the 1950s, and the...

Green, Ronald--Interviews; African American politicians ; African American laywers ; University of Houston ; Texas Southern University ; African American students--Texas--Houston--20th century ; City council members ; Oral histories

Houston's first African American City Controller discusses growing up in Third Ward, attending University of Houston and Texas Southern University, founding his own law firm and serving the city of Houston as a Councilman and City Controller.

Tatcho Mindiola, director of the Mexican American Studies program at the University of Houston, describes race relations in Houston in the 1950s and 1960s, and talks about his career as a community activist.

Born in Houston, Peter Roussel followed his parents' footsteps in becoming a journalist. He worked as a Press spokeman for several Presidents and Secretary of State. After moving to Houston from Washington, he became a TV-Radio commentator and...

Ed Smith discusses his career and his fondest memories with Foley's. He started with Foley's as Manager of Credit promotion, and gradually rose to the rank of Vice-President of Public Relations, Special events and Community Affairs and Visitor...

Judge Miron Love was a former civil lawyer without criminal practice experience. He eventually became the Democratic nominee to fill a vacancy for the criminal bench in 1958 and then later got elected in the general elections. Judge Love discusses...

When Coach Bum Phillips was head coach of the Houston Oilers, the team achieved the most wins in franchise history. In this interview Bum talks about his career as a football coach for the Oilers and for several other teams.

Wayne Graham is one of the most distinctive coaches in Baseball, and is credited with more than 1400 wins as a Collegiate Head Coach. He played 11 years as a professional with the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets, and was named Texas Minor...

In this interview, Gene Vaughan talks about his multifarious interests and activities. In 1970 he started the Vaughan Nelson
Investment Management Company. He became Chairman of the Greater Houston Partnership and President & Chairman of the...

Ed Wulfe discusses his career in the Real Estate business. His aim was to revitalize the neighborhoods and communities in Houston. Starting his own firm Wulfe & Co. in 1985, he developed the Gulgate Center, Meyerland Plaza and many other Malls. Ed...